Sloka & Translation

[Rama, Sita and Lakshmana take leave of Dasaratha--Dasaratha falls unconscious.]

ततः कमलपत्राक्षः श्यामो निरुपमो महान्।

उवाच राम स्तं सूतं पितुराख्याहि मामिति।।2.34.1।।


ततः then, कमलपत्राक्षः lotuseyed, श्यामः of dark complexion, निरुपमः peerless, महान् great, रामः Rama, माम् about me, पितुः to father, आख्याहि inform, इति thus, तं सूतम् to that charioteer, उवाच he said.

Let my father be informed of my arrival, said the lotuseyed, darkcomplexioned, venerable, peerless Rama to the charioteer.
स रामप्रेषितः क्षिप्रं सन्तापकलुषेन्द्रियः।

प्रविश्य नृपतिं सूतो निश्वसन्तं ददर्श ह ।।2.34.2।।


सन्तापकलुषेन्द्रिय: senses overwhelmed with grief, सः सूतः that charioteer (Sumantra), रामप्रेषितः sent forth by Rama, क्षिप्रम् quickly, प्रविश्य having entered, निःश्वसन्तम् sighing, नृपतिम् to king Dasaratha, ददर्श saw.

At the command of Rama, charioteer Sumantra whose senses were overwhelmed with grief quickly entered the apartment of the king and found him heaving sighs.
उपरक्तमिवादित्यं भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम्।

तटाकमिव निस्तोयमपश्यज्जगतीपतिम्।।2.34.3।।


उपरक्तम् eclipsed, आदित्यम् इव like the Sun, भस्मच्छन्नम् covered with ashes, अनलम् इव like fire, निस्तोयम् dried up, तटाकम् इव like a tank, जगतीपतिम् lord of the world, अपश्यत् saw.

He saw the lord of the world (Dasaratha) dull like the Sun in eclipse, like the fire
covered with ashes, like a tank with its water dried up.
आलोक्य तु महाप्राज्ञः परमाकुलचेतसम्।

राममेवानुशोचन्तं सूतः प्राञ्जलिरासदत्।।2.34.4।।


महाप्राज्ञः sagacious one, सूतः charioteer, राममेव to Rama only, अनुशोचन्तम् grieving, परमाकुल चेतनम् extremely agitated mind, आलोक्य तु having seen, प्राञ्जलिः with folded palms, आसदत् approached.

Seeing the king brooding over Rama, in an extremely agitated state, the sagacious charioteer approached him with folded hands.
तं वर्धयित्वा राजानं पूर्वं सूतो जयाशिषा।

भयविक्लबया वाचा मन्दया श्लक्ष्णमब्रवीत्।।2.34.5।।


सूतः the charioteer, तं राजानम् to that king (Dasaratha), पूर्वम् at first, जयाशिषा greeting with (the words) 'Victory be yours', वर्धयित्वा having greeted, भयविक्लबया trembling with fear, मन्दया in a feeble, वाचा voice, श्लक्ष्णम् gently, अब्रवीत् said.

At first greeting the king with the words 'victory be yours', the charioteer, trembling with fear, gently said in a feeble voice.
अयं स पुरुषव्याघ्रो द्वारि तिष्ठति ते सुतः।

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनं दत्वा सर्वञ्चैवोपजीविनाम्।।2.34.6।।


पुरुषव्याघ्रः a tiger among men (best of men), सः अयम् ते सुतः this son of yours, (Rama), ब्राह्मणेभ्यः to brahmins, उपजीविनां चैव to all the dependents, सर्वम् entire, धनम् wealth, दत्त्वा having given away (in charity), द्वारि at the entrance, तिष्ठति is waiting.

Your son Rama, the best of men, having given away his entire wealth in charity to brahmins and to all the dependents is waiting at the entrance.
स त्वा पश्यतु भद्रं ते रामस्सत्यपराक्रमः।

सर्वान् सुहृद आपृच्छ्य त्वामिदानीं दिदृक्षते।।1.34.7।।


ते to you, भद्रम् may you prosper, सत्यपराक्रमः possessing proven prowess, सः रामः that Rama, त्वा you, पश्यतु let him see, सर्वान् all, सुहृदः friends, आपृच्छय after taking leave, इदानीम् now, त्वाम् you, दिदृक्षते desirous of seeing you.

Be blessed audience may be granted to Rama who possesses proven prowess, and now waits, after taking leave of his friends, to see you.
गमिष्यति महारण्यं तं पश्य जगतीपते।

वृतं राजगुणै स्सर्वैरादित्यमिव रश्मिभिः।।2.34.8।।


महारण्यम् to wild forest, गमिष्यति he will go, जगतीपते O Lord of the world, सर्वैः by all, राजगुणैः princely virtues, वृतम् embellisted with, तम् he, रश्मिभिः (encircled) by rays, आदित्यमिव like the Sun, पश्य see.

O Lord of the world behold him embellished with all princely virtues like the Sun encircled with its rays, (now) leaving for the forest.
स सत्यवादी धर्मात्मा गाम्भीर्यात्सागरोपमः।

आकाश इव निष्पङ्को नरेन्द्रः प्रत्युवाच तम्।।2.34.9।।


सत्यवादी truthful, धर्मात्मा virtuous, गाम्भीर्यात् in depth, सागरोपमः like the ocean, आकाश इव like the sky, निष्पङ्क: free from mud (clean), सः नरेन्द्रः that king, तम् to him (Sumantra), प्रत्युवाच replied.

That truthful and virtuous king (Dasaratha) who was deep like the ocean and free from mud (pure) like the sky replied:
सुमंन्त्रानय मे दारान् ये केचिदिह मामकाः।

दारैः परिवृतस्सर्वैर्द्रष्टुमिच्छामि धार्मिकम्।।2.34.10।।


सुमन्त्र: Sumantra, मामकाः all my (consorts), ये केचित् whosoever, इह are here, मे दारान् my wives, आनय bring them, सर्वैः by all, दारैः with wives, परिवृतः surrounded by, धार्मिकम् virtuous Rama, द्रष्टुम् to see, इच्छामि I want.

O Sumantra bring all my consorts who are here. In the company of all my wives, I desire to give audience to virtuous Rama.
सोऽन्तःपुरमतीत्यैव स्त्रियस्ता वाक्यमब्रवीत्।

आर्याह्वयति वो राजा गम्यतां तत्र मा चिरम्।।2.34.11।।


सः Sumantra, अन्तःपुरम् inner apartment, अतीत्यैव having crossed, ताः those, स्त्रियः to the ladies, वाक्यम् words, अब्रवीत् said, आर्याः venerable ones, वः you, राजा king, आह्वयति summons, तत्र there, गम्यताम् please go, चिरम् मा do not delay.

O venerable ones, king Dasaratha summons you. Go there without delay, said Sumantra to the king's consorts after crossing the inner apartment.
एवमुक्ताः स्त्रिय स्सर्वाः सुमन्त्रेण नृपाज्ञया।

प्रचक्रमु स्तद्भवनं भर्तुराज्ञाय शासनम्।।2.34.12।।


नृपाज्ञया by king's order, सुमन्त्रेण by Sumantra, एवम् in this way, उक्ताः spoken, सर्वाः all,
स्त्रियः ladies, भर्तुः husband's, शासनम् command, आज्ञाय having known, तद्भवनम् to the palace, प्रचक्रमुः went.

Thus addressed by Sumantra in accordance with the king's order, all the women went to their husband's palace.
अर्धसप्तशतास्तास्तु प्रमदास्ताम्रलोचनाः।

कौसल्यां परिवार्याथ शनैर्जग्मुर्धृतव्रताः।।2.34.13।।


अथ thereafter, धृतव्रताः faithful to their vows, ताम्रलोचनाः women with copperred eyes, ताः those, अर्धसप्तशताः half of seven hundred (three hundred and fifty), प्रमदाः women, कौशल्याम् to Kausalya, परिवार्य surrounding, शनैः slowly, जग्मुः reached.

Thereafter, Kausalya surrounded by three hundred and fifty ladies who were faithful to their vows, reached there slowly with their eyes turned copperred (in grief).
आगतेषु च दारेषु समवेक्ष्य महीपतिः।

उवाच राजा तं सूतं सुमन्त्राऽनय मे सुतम्।।2.34.14।।


दारेषु the wives आगतेषु having arrived, महीपतिः lord of the world (Dasaratha), राजा king, समवेक्ष्य having seen, तं सूतम् to that charioteer, उवाच said, सुमन्त्र Sumantra, मे सुतम् my son (Rama), आनय usher in

Usher in my son (Rama), O Sumantra, said the lord of the world (king Dasaratha) to the charioteer on seeing his wives arrive.
स सूतो राममादाय लक्ष्मणं मैथिलीं तदा।

जगामाभिमुखस्तूर्णं सकाशं जगतीपतेः।।2.34.15।।


सः सूतः that charioteer, तदा then, रामम् to Rama, लक्ष्मणम् to Lakshmana, मैथिलीम् to Sita, आदाय having brought, तूर्णम् without delay, जगतीपतेः the king's, सकाशम् presence, अभिमुखः facing, जगाम went.

Then the charioteer fetched Rama, Lakshmana and Sita and advanced towards the king without delay.
स राजा पुत्रमायान्तं दृष्ट्वा दूरात्कृताञ्जलिम्।

उत्पपातासनात्तूर्णमार्त स्त्रीजनसंवृतः।।2.34.16।।


स्त्रीजनसंवृतः surrounded by women, सः राजा that king, कृताञ्जलिम् with folded hands,
आयान्तम् coming, पुत्रम् son, दूरात् at distance, दृष्ट्वा having seen, आर्तः with grief, तूर्णम् suddenly, आसनात् from the throne, उत्पपात stood up.

When the king saw from a distance his son coming with folded hands, he, surrounded by the ladies and tormented with grief, stood up.
सोऽभिदुद्राव वेगेन रामं दृष्ट्वा विशाम्पतिः।

तमसंप्राप्य दुःखार्तः पपात भुवि मूर्छितः।।2.34.17।।


विशाम् पतिः lord of men, रामम् to Rama, दृष्ट्वा having seen, वेगेन quickly, अभिदुद्राव ran forward, असम्प्राप्य unable to reach, दुःखार्तः tormented with grief, मूर्च्छितः unconscious, भुवि on the ground, पपात he fell.

At the sight of Rama, the lord of men (king Dasaratha), tortured with grief, immediately ran towards him but before he could reach him, fell unconscious on the floor.
तं रामोऽभ्यपतत् क्षिप्रं लक्ष्मणश्च महारथः।

विसंज्ञमिव दुःखेन सशोकं नृपतिं तदा।।2.34.18।।


तदा then, दुःखेन due to agony, विसंज्ञम् इव like one who had lost his senses, सशोकम् with grief, तं नृपतिम् to that king, रामः Rama, महारथः a mighty warrior, लक्ष्मणश्च Lakshmana also, क्षिप्रम् quickly, अभ्यपतत् reached.

Rama and the mighty warrior Lakshmana, quickly reached the king who lay as though he had lost his senses due to grief.
स्त्रीसहस्रनिनादश्च संजज्ञे राजवेश्मनि।

हा हा रामेति सहसा भूषणध्वनिमूर्छितः।।2.34.19।।


सहसा suddenly, राजवेश्मनि in the palace, भूषणध्वनिमूर्छितः mingled with the (tinkling) sounds of ornaments, हा हा राम इति alas, alas, Rama, स्त्री सहस्रनिनादश्च wailing of a
thousand women, संजज्ञे was produced.

All on a sudden there arose from (the mouths of) a thousand women of the palace cries of 'alas, alas, Rama' mingled with the tinkling sounds of their ornaments.
तं परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां तावुभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ।

पर्यंङ्के सीतया सार्धं रुदन्तः समवेशयन्।।2.34.20।।


तौ those, उभौ two, रामलक्ष्मणौ Rama and Lakshmana, सीतया सार्धम् along with Sita, तम् him (Dasaratha), बाहुभ्याम् with their arms, परिष्वज्य having embraced, रुदन्तः while wailing, पर्यङ्के on the couch, समवेशयन् seated.

Thereafter Rama and Lakshmana assisted by Sita, lifted him wailing in their arms and laid him on a couch.
अथ रामो मुहूर्तेन लब्धसंज्ञं महीपतिम्।

उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा शोकार्णवपरिप्लुतम्।।2.34.21।।


अथ thereafter, रामः Rama, प्राञ्जलिः with folded palms, भूत्वा being, मुहूर्तेन in a moment , लब्धसंज्ञम् who regained consciousness, शोकार्णवपरिप्लुतम् immersed in the sea of sorrow, महीपतिम् to the king, उवाच said.

After the king regained his consciousness in a moment, Rama with folded hands said to him, who was immersed in a sea of sorrow:
आपृच्छे त्वां महाराज सर्वेषामीश्वरोऽसि नः।

प्रस्थितं दण्डकारण्यं पश्य त्वं कुशलेन माम्।।2.34.22।।


महाराज O great king, त्वाम् you, अपृच्छे I am seeking leave, सर्वेषाम् of all, न: of us, ईश्वरः असि you are the Lord, त्वम् you, कुशलेन cheerfully, दण्डकारण्यम् to Dandaka forest, प्रस्थितम् departing, माम् me, पश्य you may see.

O great king, I am asking leave of you, for you are lord of all of us. I am set to depart for the Dandaka forest. See me (off) in a cheerful mood.
लक्ष्मणं चानुजानीहि सीता चान्वेति मां वनम्।

कारणैर्बहुभि स्तथ्यैर्वार्यमाणौ न चेच्छतः।।2.34.23।।


लक्ष्मणं च (to) Lakshmana also, अनुजानीहि may allow, सीता च Sita also, माम् me, वनम् to the forest, अन्वेति will be following, तथ्यैः by genuine, बहुभिः many, कारणैः with reasons, वार्यमाणौ dissuaded, न च इच्छतः both do not agree.

Allow Lakshmana and Sita to follow me into the forest. I tried to dissuade them with a number of reasons but they did not agree.
अनुजानीहि सर्वान्नः शोकमुत्सृज्य मानद।

लक्ष्मणं मां च सीतां च प्रजापतिरिव प्रजाः।।2.34.24।।


मानद O respector of men, शोकम् grief, उत्सृज्य discarding, लक्ष्मणम् to Lakshmana, मां च also me, सीतां च to Sita too, सर्वान् all, नः us, प्रजापतिः creator Bramha, प्रजाः इव like subjects, अनुजानीहि permit.

Discard your grief and, like Brahma, the creator, allow Lakshmana, Sita and me all of us, your subjects, O respector of men
प्रतीक्षमाणमव्यग्रमनुज्ञां जगतीपतेः।

उवाच राजा सम्प्रेक्ष्य वनवासाय राघवम्।।2.34.25।।


राजा king, वनवासाय to dwell in the forest, जगतीपतेः king's (his), अनुज्ञाम् permission, प्रतीक्षमाणम् awaiting, अव्यग्रम् to the unruffled, राघवम् to Rama, सम्प्रेक्ष्य having seen, उवाच said.

On seeing Rama, unruffled, waiting for his permission to proceed to the forest, the lord of the earth, king Dasaratha said:
अहं राघव कैकेय्या वरदानेन मोहितः।

अयोध्यायास्त्वमेवाद्य भव राजा निगृह्य माम्।।2.34.26।।


राघव O Son of the Raghu dynasty, अहम् I, कैकेय्या Kaikeyi's, वरदानेन by bestowing boons, मोहितः have been deluded, अद्य now, माम् me, निगृह्य by confining, त्वमेव yourself, अयोध्यायाः of Ayodhya, राजा भव be king.

I have been deluded by Kaikeyi into bestowing boons. Imprison me and be now king of Ayodhya, O scion of the Raghu dynasty
एवमुक्तो नृपतिना रामो धर्मभृतां वरः।

प्रत्युवाचाञ्जलिं कृत्वा पितरं वाक्यकोविदः।।2.34.27।।


धर्मभृताम् among upholders of righteousness, वरः best, वाक्यकोविदः skilled in speech, रामः Rama, नृपतिना by the king, एवम् in this way, उक्तः spoken, अञ्जलिं कृत्वा with folded palms, पितरम् to his father, प्रत्युवाच replied.

Thus spoken to by the king, Rama, skilled in speech and upholder of righteousness, replied to his father with folded palms:
भवान्वर्ष सहस्राय पृथिव्या नृपते पतिः।

अहं त्वरण्येवत्स्यामि न मे कार्यं त्वयाऽनृतम्।।2.34.28।।


नृपते O king, वर्षसहस्राय for a thousand years, भवान् you alone, पृथिव्याः of this earth, पतिः are the lord, अहं तु as for me, अरण्ये in the forest, वत्स्यामि I will dwell, त्वया by you, मे to me, अनृतम् untruth, न कार्यम् should not be done.

You will remain the lord of this earth for a thousand years to come, O king As for me, I will dwell in the forest. Do not deviate from truth on my account.
नव पञ्च च वर्षाणि वनवासे विहृत्य ते।

पुनःपादौ ग्रहीष्यामि प्रतिज्ञान्ते नराधिप।।2.34.29।।


नराधिप O lord of men (king), नव पञ्च च nine plus five (fourteen), वर्षाणि years, वनवासे dwelling in the forest, विहृत्य after wandering, प्रतिज्ञान्ते after fulfilling the vow, पुनः again, ते your, पादौ feet, ग्रहीष्यामि I will grasp.

Having fulfilled the vow on the completion of fourteen years of wandering in the forest I shall come back to touch your feet, O lord of men
रुदन्नार्तः प्रियं पुत्रं सत्यपाशेन संयतः।

कैकेय्या चोद्यमानस्तु मिथो राजा तमब्रवीत्।।2.34.30।।


सत्यपाशेन by the cord of truth, संयतः bound, राजा king, कैकेय्या by Kaikeyi, मिथः by mutual talk, चोद्यमानस्तु instigated (to send Rama away), आर्तः distressed, रुदन् while wailing, तम् that, प्रियं पुत्रम् beloved son Rama, अब्रवीत् said.

The king who was bound by the cord of truth and instigated by Kaikeyi said, wailing in distress:
श्रेयसे वृद्धये तात पुनरागमनाय च।

गच्छस्वारिष्टमव्यग्रः पन्थानमकुतोभयम्।।2.34.31।।


तात dear child, Rama, अरिष्टम् auspicious, अव्यग्रम् without sorrows, अकुतोभयम् without threat (from any quarter), पन्थानम् path, श्रेयसे for your welfare, वृद्धये for prosperity, पुनः आगमनाय च and to return, गच्छस्व go.

Go, my dear child, wish you wellMay your path be auspicious, free from obstacles and fear (from any quarters). Come back (after fulfilment of the pledge)
न हि सत्यात्मनस्तात धर्माभिमनस स्तव।

विनिवर्तयितुं बुद्धिः शक्यते रघुनन्दन।।2.34.32।।


तात dear child, रघुनन्दन delight of the Raghus (Rama), सत्यात्मनः upright one, धर्माभिमनसः devoted to duty, तव your, बुद्धि: mind, विनिवर्तयितुम् to dissuade, न शक्यते हि am not able.

O my beloved son O delight of the Raghus you are devoted to truth and duty. It is difficult to dissuade you from your resolve .
अद्य त्विदानीं रजनीं पुत्र मा गच्छ सर्वथा।

एकाहदर्शनेनापि साधु तावच्चराम्यहम्।।2.34.33।।


पुत्र O son, अद्य today, इदानीम् now, रजनीम् this night, सर्वथा by all means, मा गच्छ do not go, एकाहदर्शनेनापि at least by seeing you for one day more, अहम् I, साधु peacefully, चरामि तावत् go on.

O son, by all means, do not go now, today, tonight Give me, at least, one day more to see (by with) you to my satisfaction.
मातरं मां च सम्पश्यन् वसेमामद्य शर्वरीम्।

तर्पित स्सर्वकामैस्त्वं श्वः काले साधयिष्यसि।।।2.34.34।।


मातरम् mother, मां च me also, सम्पश्यन् seeing, अद्य today, इमाम् this, शर्वरीम् night, वस stay, सर्वकामैः with all desires, तर्पितः satisfied, त्वम् you, श्वः tomorrow, काले in proper time, साधयिष्यसि set out.

Stay tonight in the company of your mother and me. With all our desire satisfied, you can set out tomorrow at the appropriate time.
दुष्करं क्रियते पुत्र सर्वथा राघव त्वया।

मत्प्रियार्थं प्रियांस्त्यक्त्वा यद्यासि विजनं वनम्।।2.34.35।।


पुत्र son, राघव descendant of the Raghus, त्वया by you, सर्वथा by all means, दुष्करम्
difficult task, क्रियते is being done, यत् for that reason, मत् प्रियार्थम् for the sake of my pleasure, प्रियान् dear ones, त्यक्त्वा having forsaken, विजनम् deserted place, वनम् to the forest, यासि are going.

O my son, O descendant of the Raghus, you are called upon to accomplish, by all means, a very difficult task. For the sake of my pleasure you are forsaking your dear ones and going to the desolate forest.
न चैतन्मे प्रियं पुत्र शपे सत्येन राघव।

छन्नया चलितस्त्वस्मि स्त्रिया छन्नाग्निकल्पया।।2.34.36।।


पुत्र O son, राघव Rama, एतत् all this, मे to me, प्रियम् pleasing, न च not, सत्येन on truth, शपे am swearing, छन्नाग्निकल्पया by a woman resembling concealed fire, छन्नया with a hidden motive, स्त्रिया by a woman, चलितः अस्मि I am deceived.

I swear by truth, O my beloved son, that your departure to the forest is in no way a pleasure to me. With a hidden motive, this woman who is like fire concealed by ashes has duped me.
वञ्चना या तु लब्धा मे तां त्वं निस्तर्तुमिच्छसि।

अनया वृत्तसादिन्या कैकेय्याऽभिप्रचोदितः।।.2.34.37।।


त्वम् you, वृत्तसादिन्या one who destroys the tradition of the race, अनया this, कैकेय्या by Kaikeyi, अभिप्रचोदितः having been instigated, या वञ्चना whichever deceit, लब्धा has been
experienced, ताम् that one, निस्तर्तुम् to cross over, इच्छसि wish.

Instigated by this Kaikeyi, the destroyer of traditions (of the race) I have been deceived for which you wish to pay.
न चैतदाश्चर्यतमं यत्तज्येष्ठस्सुतो मम।

अपानृतकथं पुत्र पितरं कर्तुमिच्छसि।।2.34.38।।


पुत्र son, मम my, ज्येष्ठः eldest, सुतः son, पितरम् of father, अपानृतकथम् free from a false promise, कर्तुम् to do, इच्छसि (इति) यत् that you wish, तत् एतत् all that, आश्चर्यतमम् most wonderful, न not.

It is not a great surprise that you, O my son, being the eldest, want to make your father free from a false promise.
अथ रामस्तथा श्रुत्वा पितुरार्तस्य भाषितम्।

लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा दीनो वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.34.39।।


अथ thereafter, रामः Rama, तथा in that way, आर्तस्य of the distressed one, पितुः father's, भाषितम् words, श्रुत्वा having heard, भ्रात्रा with brother, लक्ष्मणेन सह along with Lakshmana, दीनः distressed, वचनम् words, अब्रवीत् spoke.

Rama and Lakshmana were sad to hear the words of their anguished father. Rama replies:
प्राप्स्यामि यानद्य गुणान्को मे श्वस्तान् प्रदास्यति।

अपक्रमणमेवातः सर्वकामैरहं वृणे।।2.34.40।।


अद्य today, यान् गुणान् merit, प्राप्स्यामि obtain, तान् those, श्वः tomorrow, मे to me, कः who, प्रदास्यति will give, अतः therefore, सर्वकामैः with all desires, अपक्रमणमेव departing, अहम् I, वृणे am seeking.

Who will give me the merit (of propriety) I earn today? Therefore, I want to depart (today), discarding all my desires.
इयं सराष्ट्रा सजना धनधान्यसमाकुला।

मया विसृष्टा वसुधा भरताय प्रदीयताम्।।2.34.41।।


मया by me, विसृष्टा abdicated, सराष्ट्रा with kingdom, सजना its inhabitants, धनधान्यसमाकुला abounding in wealth and foodgrains, इयं वसुधा this earth, भरताय to Bharata, प्रदीयताम्
may be given.

The kingdom abdicated by me with all its people, its wealth and foodgrains may be bestowed on Bharata.
वनवासकृता बुद्धिर्न च मेऽद्य चलिष्यति।

यस्तुष्टेन वरो दत्तः कैकेय्यै वरद त्वया।।2.34.42।।

दीयतां निखिलेनैव सत्यस्त्वं भव पार्थिव।


वनवासकृता in banishment, मे बुद्धि: my decision, अद्य now, न चलिष्यति will not change, वरद bestower of boons, पार्थिव O king, तुष्टेन by wellpleased, त्वया by you, कैकेय्यै to Kaikeyi, यः वरः those boons, दत्तः given, निखिलेनैव completely, दीयताम् may be given, त्वम् you, सत्यः भव you remain truthful.

My decision to go to the forest remains unchanged. O bestower of boons, O king honour to the last word the boons you had granted Kaikeyi. And adhere to truth.
अहं निदेशं भवतो यथोक्तमनुपालयन्।।2.34.43।।

चतुर्दश समा वत्स्ये वने वनचरैस्सह।


अहम् I, यथोक्तम् as has been told, भवतः your, निदेशम् command, अनुपालयन् obeying, चतुर्दश fourteen, समाः years, वनचरैः सह with the forest rangers, वने in the forest, वत्स्ये shall dwell.

As already said, I shall dwell in the forest for fourteen years with forest rangers, in obedience to your commands.
मा विमर्शो वसुमती भरताय प्रदीयताम्।।2.34.44।।

न हि मे काङ्क्षितं राज्यं सुखमात्मनि वा प्रियम्।

यथानिदेशं कर्तुं वै तवैव रघुनन्दन।।2.34.45।।


विमर्शः मा do not brood, वसुमती the earth, भरताय to Bharata, प्रदीयताम् be given, रघुनन्दन O Delight of the Raghu race, मे to me, राज्यम् kingdom, आत्मनि in me (for me), सुखं वा pleasure, काङ्क्षितम् is desired, न हि is not, तव your, यथा निदेशम् according to your order, कर्तुम् एव to carry out only, प्रियं वै is dear to me.

Do not brood. Bestow the kingdom on Bharata. I do not have any desire for the kingdom or pleasure. Nothing is dearer to me than compliance with your order, O Delight of the Raghu race
अपगच्छतु ते दु:खं माभूर्बाष्पपरिप्लुतः।

न हि क्षुभ्यति दुर्धर्षः समुद्रः सरितां पतिः।।2.34.46।।


ते your, दुःखम् grief, अपगच्छतु may go away, बाष्पपरिप्लुतः filled with tears, मा भूः do not become, सरिताम् of rivers, पतिः lord, दुर्धर्ष: an indomitable one, समुद्रः ocean, न क्षुभ्यति is never perturbed.

Let your grief go. Do not shed tears. The indomitable ocean, Lord of rivers, is never perturbed.
नैवाहं राज्यमिच्छामि न सुखं न च मेदिनीम्।

नैव सर्वानिमान् कामा न्नस्वर्गं नैव जीवितम्।।2.34.47।।


अहम् I, राज्यम् kingdom, नैव इच्छामि do not desire, सुखम् comfort, न not, मेदिनीम् च
dominion, न not, सर्वान् all, इमान् these, कामान् pleasures, नैव not, स्वर्गम् heaven, न not at all, जीवितम् life, नैव not.

I desire no kingdom, no comfort, not this earth nor any pleasure nor heaven nor even life.
त्वामहं सत्यमिच्छामि नानृतं पुरुषर्षभ।

प्रत्यक्षं तव सत्येन सुकृतेन च ते शपे।।2.34.48।।


पुरुषर्षभ O best of men, त्वाम् you, सत्यम् (uphold) truth, अहम् I, इच्छामि wish, अनृतम् falsehood, न not, तव your, प्रत्यक्षम् in presence, सत्येन on truth, सुकृतेन च on my merits acquired, ते to you, शपे I swear.

I wish you, O best of men, to uphold truth and not falsehood. I swear this in your presence in the name of truth and on my merits acquired.
न च शक्यं मया तात स्थातुं क्षणमपि प्रभो।

स शोकं धारयस्वेमं न हि मेऽस्ति विपर्ययः।।2.34.49।।


तात O father, प्रभो O lord, मया by me, क्षणमपि even for a moment, स्थातुम् to stay here, न शक्यम् not possible, सः you, इमम् this, शोकम् grief, धारयस्व restrain, मे my, विपर्ययः नास्ति हि no change in my resolve.

It is not possible for me, O father to stay here for a moment any longer. Restrain your grief. There can be no change in my resolve, O king
अर्थितो ह्यस्मि कैकेय्या वनं गच्छेति राघव।

मया चोक्तं व्रजामीति तत्सत्यमनुपालये।।2.34.50।।


राघव O scion of the Raghu race, वनम् to the forest, गच्छ you may go, इति thus, कैकेय्या by Kaikeyi, अर्थितः अस्मि हि I have been asked, व्रजामि इति I shall go, मया by me, उक्तं च it has been promised, तत् that, सत्यम् truth (promise), अनुपालये I shall follow.

'O Rama, go to the forest', Kaikeyi had said, and I have given her word I would go. I must fulfil my promise.
मा चोत्कण्ठां कृथा देव वने रंस्यामहे वयम्।

प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णे नानाशकुनिनादिते।।2.34.51।।


देव O Lord , उत्कण्ठाम् मा कृथाः do not worry, वयम् we, प्रशान्तहरिणाकीर्णे in the peaceful
forest full of deer, नानाशकुनिनादिते resounding with the chirpings of various birds, वने in the forest, रंस्यामहे we will enjoy.

Do not worry, O Lord We will enjoy (our stay in) the peaceful forest full of deer and resounding with the chirpings of various birds.
पिता हि दैवतं तात देवतानामपि स्मृतम्।

तस्माद्दैवतमित्येव करिष्यामि पितुर्वचः।।2.34.52।।


तात O father, देवतानामपि even for gods also, पिता a father, दैवतम् as divine, स्मृतं हि is cited in scriptures, तस्मात् therefore, दैवतम् इत्येव treating as god, पितुः father's, वचः करिष्यामि obey his words.

Father is divine even for the gods as cited in scriptures, therefore, looking upon father as my god, I will carry out his words, O father
चतुर्दशसु वर्षेषु गतेषु नरसत्तम।

पुनर्द्रक्ष्यसि मां प्राप्तं सन्तापोऽयं विमुच्यताम्।।2.34.53।।


नरसत्तम O best among men, चतुर्दशसु when fourteen, वर्षेषु years, गतेषु having gone, पुनः again, प्राप्तम् returned, माम् me, द्रक्ष्यसि you will see, अयम् this, सन्तापः grief, विमुच्यताम् should be given up.

I shall return after fourteen years have passed, O best among men you will see me
back, Give up this grief.
येन संस्तम्भनीयोऽयं सर्वो बाष्पगलो जनः।

स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल किमर्थं विक्रियां गतः।।2.34.54।।


पुरुषशार्दूल O tiger (best) among men, बाष्पगलः throats choked with tears, सर्वः all, अयं जनः this man, येन by whom, संस्तम्भनीयः are to be pacified, सः त्वम् you, किमर्थम् why, विक्रियां गतः this change.

When you, O tiger among men, are required (as king) to pacify those whose throats are choked with tears, why this change in you?
पुरं च राष्ट्रं च मही च केवला

मया निसृष्टा भरताय दीयताम्।

अहं निदेशं भवतोऽनुपालयन्

वनं गमिष्यामि चिराय सेवितुम्।।2.34.55।।


पुरं च city, राष्ट्रं च kingdom also, मया by me, निसृष्टा delivered, केवला मही च this entire earth, भरताय for Bharata, दीयताम् may be given, अहम् I, भवतः your, निदेशम् order, अनुपालयन् obeying, वनम् to the forest, चिराय for a long time, सेवितुम् to serve, गमिष्यामि shall go.

I am renouncing this city, kingdom and this entire earth, and let all this be conferred on Bharata. In obedience to your order, I shall go and live in the forest for a long time.
मया निसृष्टां भरतो महीमिमां

सशैलषण्डां सपुरां सकाननाम्।

शिवां सुसीमामनुशास्तु केवलं

त्वया यदुक्तं नृपते तथास्तु तत्।।2.34.56।।


नृपते O king, सशैलषण्डाम् along with mountain ranges, सपुराम् with cities, सकाननाम् with forests, शिवाम् auspicious, सुसीमाम् with welllaid frontiers, मया by me, निसृष्टाम् given away, इमां महीम् this land, भरतः Bharata, केवलम् alone, अनुशास्तु may rule, त्वया by you, यत् which, उक्तम् was said, तत् that one, तथा अस्तु may happen.

I am leaving behind, O king this (auspicious) land with its welllaid boundaries, mountain ranges, cities and forests, which Bharata alone should rule. Let it happen the way you have said.
न मे तथा पार्थिव धीयते मनो

महत्सु कामेषु न चात्मनःप्रिये।

यथा निदेशे तव शिष्टसम्मते

व्यपैतु दुःखं तव मत्कृतेऽनघ।।2.34.57।।


अनघ O sinless, पार्थिव O king, मे मनः my mind, शिष्टसम्मते acceptable to the disciplined (wise), तव निदेशे by your order, यथा as, धीयते is contained, तथा in that way, महत्सु great, कामेषु pleasures, न not, आत्मनः mine, प्रिये dear, न not, मत्कृते on my account, तव your, दुःखम् grief, व्यपैतु shall be expelled.

O king my mind derives no happiness from great enjoyment or personal comfort as it does from carrying out your order. This is corroborated by the wise. Your grief (relating to filfilment of the vow) on mt account will be dispelled, O sinless one
तदद्य नैवानघ राज्यमव्ययं

न सर्वकामान्न सुखं न मैथिलीम्।

न जीवितं त्वामनृतेन योजयन्

वृणीय सत्यं व्रतमस्तु ते तथा।।2.34.58।।


अनघ O sinless one, तत् for that, अद्य now, त्वाम् you, अनृतेन with untruth, योजयन् associating, अव्ययम् eternal, राज्यम् kingdom, नैव वृणीय will not seek, सर्वकामान् all desires, न not, सुखम् happiness, न not, मैथिलीम् Sita, न not, जीवितम् life, न not, ते to you, व्रतम् vow, तथा in that way, सत्यम् अस्तु let it become true.

O sinless one by associating you with falsehood I will neither seek this eternal kingdom nor objects of desires nor objects of happiness nor Maithili nor even my life. I only wish that your vow comes true.
फलानि मूलानि च भक्षयन्वने

गिरींश्च पश्यन् सरितस्सरांसि च।

वनं प्रविश्यैव विचित्रपादपम्

सुखी भविष्यामि तवास्तु निर्वृतिः।।2.34.59।।


विचित्रपादपम् with various kinds of trees, वनम् the forest, प्रविश्यैव having entered, फलानि fruits, मूलानि च roots also, भक्षयन् eating, वने in the forest, गिरींश्च mountains as well, सरितः rivers, सरांसि च lakes, पश्यन् seeing, सुखी भविष्यामि shall be happy, तव you, निर्वृतिः अस्तु shall cease (to lament).

Entering the forest full of various kinds of trees I shall be happy to view the mountains, rivers and the lakes and to eat fruits and roots. (Hence) do not grieve.
एवं स राजा व्यसनाभिपन्नः

शोकेन दुःखेन च ताम्यमानः।

आलिङ्ग्य पुत्रं सुविनष्टसंज्ञो

मोहं गतो नैव चिचेष्ट किंञ्चित्।।2.34.60।।


सः राजा that king, एवम् in this way, व्यसनाभिपन्नः immersed in anguish, शोकेन with grief, दुःखेन च with sorrow, ताम्यमानः distressed, पुत्रम् son, आलिङ्ग्य embracing, सुविनष्टसंज्ञः having lost consciousness, मोहं गतः fainted, किञ्चित् a little, नैव चिचेष्ट did not move.

The king, immersed in anguish and distressed with tears of grief embraced his son and then fell down unconscious on the floor and lay motionless.
देव्यस्तत स्संरुरुदुस्समेता

स्तां वर्जयित्वा नरदेवपत्नीम्।

रुदन् सुमन्त्रोऽऽपि जगाम मूर्छां

हाहाकृतं तत्र बभूव सर्वम्।।2.34.61।।


ततः thereupon, ताम् that, नरदेवपत्नीम् the wife of the king (Kaikeyi), वर्जयित्वा leaving, देव्यः wives, समेताः together, संरुरुदुः bewailed loudly, सुमन्त्रोऽपि even Sumantra, रुदन् crying, मूर्छाम् unconscious, जगाम obtained, तत्र there, सर्वम् every one, हा हा कृतम् shouting alas, alas, बभूव became.

Thereupon all the queens except Kaikeyi, wailed loudly. Sumantra, too, cried and fell unconscious. The entire palace cried 'Alas, Alas'.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे चतुस्त्रिंशस्सर्गः।।
Thus ends the thirtyfourth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.